Colorado Self-Solemnization – Steps and Requirements

Want to marry without an officiant or witnesses in Colorado? Self-solemnization lets you sign your own marriage license and exchange vows privately with full legal recognition. You only need a valid Colorado license and both partners’ signatures to make it official. Our guide breaks down the simple filing steps, exact rules, and benefits like lower costs and total privacy so you gain clarity fast.

Colorado’s Self-Solemnization Law

Colorado lets couples marry without a judge or priest. This is called self-solemnization. You simply sign the marriage license with your partner and two witnesses. The state treats your own words as the ceremony.

To use this law, both people must be at least 18 and have a valid Colorado marriage license. You pick a spot in Colorado, say your vows, and fill out the forms. The county clerk records it like any other marriage.

Self-solemnization means the couple is the officiant of their own wedding.

Steps to Marry Yourself in Colorado

Follow these easy steps to make your wedding legal:

1. Apply for a marriage license at any Colorado county clerk office.
2. Plan your ceremony anywhere in the state, like a mountain or your backyard.
3. Exchange vows and sign the license with your partner and two witnesses.
4. Return the signed license to the clerk within 63 days.

Data shows over 20,000 couples used self-solemnization in Colorado last year. It saves money on officiant fees, which average $300.

Remember to bring valid ID and know your partner’s full name. This law gives you freedom and simple paperwork.

Marriage License Steps for Self-Solemnization in Colorado

Getting a marriage license in Colorado is easy and quick. You and your partner must go to a county clerk’s office to ask for the license. Both of you need a valid ID like a driver’s license or passport.

The best part is that Colorado lets you marry yourselves with no officiant needed. After you get the license, you can say your vows and sign the paper together. Then mail the signed license back to the clerk within 63 days.

What to Bring and How Much It Costs

You will need some basic items when you visit the clerk. Bring your IDs and know your social security numbers. The fee is $30 in most counties, and you can pay with cash or card.

• Valid photo ID for both people
• Full names and addresses
• SSN or ITIN if you have one

Colorado does not require a blood test or waiting period. You can get married the same day you pick up the license.

Self-solemnization means you are the boss of your own ceremony.

This rule makes Colorado a top spot for elopements. In 2022, over 40,000 couples got licenses here, and many used self-solemnization.

Here is a simple table of the main steps:

Keep your copy safe and mail the original back. If you miss the 63-day deadline, you may need to reapply.

Planning Your Own Ceremony

In Colorado, self-solemnization lets you marry without a priest, judge, or friend to lead the words. You and your partner act as the officiant. This gives you free choice on how the day looks.

The main step is to get a marriage license from a Colorado county clerk. Once you have it, you can plan a ceremony that fits your style. You do not need witnesses, but you can invite friends if you want. The key is to sign the license and return it within 63 days.

Easy Steps to Plan

Start by picking a place that makes you happy. It can be a mountain, your backyard, or a quiet library. Then think about what you want to say to each other.

You don’t need fancy words to make a marriage real in Colorado.

Here is a simple list to keep you on track:

• Get your license at a county clerk office.
• Choose a date and spot.
• Write short vows or just say “I do”.
• Sign the license with both names.
• Mail or drop the license back within 63 days.

Sample Ceremony Ideas

Some couples like a quick plan, others want a fun event. Below are two easy styles with what you need.

Remember, the law only cares that you sign the paper. Your day can be as small or big as you like. Just keep the license safe and send it back on time.

Signing the License

When you choose self-solemnization in Colorado, signing the license is the big step that makes your marriage official. You and your partner fill out the form from the county clerk and sign it together. No officiant is needed, which is great for a small mountain wedding.

The key question many couples ask is, “Who must sign the Colorado marriage license?” The answer is simple: only the two people getting married. Colorado law does not ask for witnesses or a minister’s signature when you self-solemnize. This saves time and stress on your big day.

Steps to Sign Your Colorado Marriage License

Follow these easy steps so your license is valid. First, pick up the license at any Colorado county clerk office. Then, write your names, the date, and the place of marriage. Finally, both of you sign on the spouse lines.

1. Get the license in person or by mail from a county clerk.
2. Check the form for blanks like names, age, and county.
3. Both partners sign the bottom where it says “spouse” or “party”.
4. Mail or drop off the signed license within 63 days.

Some counties give a handy sheet with tips. Here is a quick look at what you need versus what you don’t:

Make sure you use blue or black ink so the clerk can read it. A clear signature avoids delays.

Self-solemnization in Colorado means the couple is the ceremony and the signer.

After you sign, the marriage is legal once the clerk records it. You can order a certified copy for name changes. Many couples keep a photo of the signed page as a fun memory.

Common Filing Errors in Colorado Self-Solemnization

Self-solemnization in Colorado lets two people marry without a judge or priest. You still need to file a marriage license with the county clerk. Small mistakes on the paper can slow things down or void your marriage.

The biggest filing errors are missing signatures and wrong dates. Some couples forget to sign both copies or write the ceremony date wrong. Others use a pen color that the clerk cannot scan, like light blue or pencil.

Easy Ways to File Right the First Time

Before you mail or drop off your license, check each line. Use black or blue ink only. Make sure both partners sign and print their names clearly. Colorado gives you 63 days after the wedding to file the completed license.

Colorado law requires the marriage license to be filed within 63 days of the ceremony.

Here is a quick list of common errors and how to fix them:

• Missing signatures: Both people must sign. No witness needed for self-solemnization.
• Wrong county: File in the county where you got the license, not where you live.
• Sloppy handwriting: Print clearly so names match your IDs.
• Late filing: Count 63 days from your wedding day and mark it on a calendar.

If you want a clear view, see the table below.

Double-check your work and you will avoid the usual traps. Self-solemnization is simple, but the filing step needs care.

Benefits for Colorado Couples

Self-solemnization in Colorado allows couples to legally marry without an officiant, providing total control over their ceremony and significant savings on vendor costs. This freedom supports deeply personal vows in any setting, from remote trails to urban rooftops, without scheduling constraints.

Another major perk is the simplified paperwork process that avoids third-party validation, reducing stress and wait times. Colorado is uniquely permissive in granting this right to both residents and out-of-state visitors, making it a top destination for independent weddings.

References

1. Colorado Official State Website
2. The Knot
3. Brides